Centerville-Abington Community Schools officials are cautiously optimistic their extensive preparation for Indiana’s new accountability standards will pay off.

At the board’s May 27 meeting, Superintendent Mike McCoy outlined the state’s extensive changes taking effect this fall.

CACS administrators attended early training sessions and have already implemented changes hoping to maximize its letter grade. McCoy said he believes they’ve done everything they can to prepare while state officials are still finalizing some requirements.

For instance, CACS seventh graders now have a parent-signed graduation plan for military enlistment, workforce or college that can be modified.

Indiana will calculate several factors that vary by grade level, including academic mastery, student success indicators, attendance and test scores.

Attendance will be a higher priority, so students missing 10 days, even excused absences for illness or hospitalization, count against the school.

And, standardized test scores for social studies and science now factor into a school’s score, compared with previous years when schools were solely judged on language arts and math scores.

McCoy said the state’s new emphasis on student academic growth could be a strength for Centerville compared with Indiana’s previous stronger emphasis on test scores. He likes how educators were involved in developing the new standards.

Scores in 2026-27 year won’t count against schools.

Parent Kevin Arnett explains how Centerville-Abington Community Schools has helped his daughters in their first year in the district, such as increasing their interest in reading. Photo by Millicent Martin Emery

In other business

  • Sarah Scott, executive director of Communities in Schools of Wayne County, shared first-semester data about Rose Hamilton and Centerville-Abington elementary students served. Of the 80 students receiving case management, 100% improved attendance, 74% academics, and 59% behavior. CIS also provided 1,462 basic needs items to any student.
  • All CACS third graders passed IREAD, so no third-grade summer school is needed. Some K-2 students are attending for two weeks.
  • During public commentary, parent Kevin Arnett praised CACS personnel for the experiences his three daughters and their foreign exchange student had during their first year in the district.
  • Treasurer Michele Robinson earned Indiana Association of School Business Officials’ chief business officer designation through its certification program.
  • The board approved changes to 2026-27 fees, curriculum, and academic and student handbooks during a second reading.
  • Donations:**** Blue Buffalo, $10,000 to Centerville Athletics in exchange for advertising at athletic events; Charles and Shanna Williamson, $273.85 pays off all negative CAE student lunch balances; Belden, $1,000 for CAE Robotics Club; Dot Foods, $1,000 for CSHS’ Business Professionals of America.
  • Policy revisions were discussed on topics including firearms/weapons/destructive devices, school wellness, responsible technology/internet use, wireless communication devices, attendance/academic engagement/truancy, medical needs, budget adoption/implementation, purchasing procedures/capital assets, free/reduced-price meals, corporation support organizations, and public records. The board is expected to vote at the next meeting (7 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, at 115 W. South St.) The public is invited.

Personnel

  • Hire: Lisa Moore, bus driver
  • Pending hire: Amy Kenworthy, CAE daytime custodian
  • Summer hires: Rose Hamilton: Jessica Anderson, Alyssa Davis, Cathy Stainbrook, JoAnna Derr, Amber Wert-May. Custodians: Aleah Ream, Kymie May, Paul Stapleton. Paint crew: Katie, Shea, Jace and Cole Hollendonner. Bus drivers: Greg Newton and Paul Robbins.
  • Transfers: Ashley Tice (sixth grade to eighth grade math); Tiffany (Leger) Ford (eighth grade math to seventh grade science); Brooks Baker (seventh grade girls basketball coach to eighth grade); Kris Heiderich (sixth grade girls basketball to seventh grade).
  • Departures: Rose Hamilton: Amanda Hildebrand, second grade teacher. CAE: Alexa Williams, special education aide. CJHS: Lindsey Day, seventh grade science; Charles “Tim” Fields, evening custodian; Mikayla Miller, Bulldog Connection Lab; Mike Day, football coach; Kris Heiderich, cross country coach. CSHS: Greg Whited, night custodian.
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A version of this article appeared in the June 3 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.

Millicent Martin Emery is a reporter and editor for the Western Wayne News.